By Chris O’Grady

Without starting senior quarterback Adam Froman and star running back senior Bilal Powell, the Cards seemed to be limping into their matchup with Syracuse University Saturday at the Carrier Dome.  But impressive performances by backup quarterback senior Justin Burke and a trio of running backs the Cards held on to a 28-20 victory over the Orange, who dropped to 6-3 on the year.

                The Cards are now at 5-4 after getting their first road win in the Big East since 2007.  Burke was 13 for 25 for 147 yards in his first start this season.  Redshirt freshman Jeremy Wright led the Cards in rushing with 98 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.  Junior Victor Anderson, who had sat out the previous three games with a shoulder injury, gained 46 yards on ten carries.  Senior Blayne Donnell also carried five times for the Cards.  Junior tight end Josh Chichester and sophomore receiver Andrell Smith each caught touchdown passes.

                Two key fourth down conversions for the Cardinal offense moved the Cards past the Orange, who were looking to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2004.  Syracuse running back Delone Carter rushed 21 times for 108 yards and a touchdown.    Freshman Hakeem Smith had 13 tackles for a Cardinal defense that harassed Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib all day, forcing him to throw off his back foot for much of the day. 

                The Cards return against the University of South Florida on Sat. Nov 13 at noon at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.